Addis Ababa Ramps Up Anti-Illegal Trade Campaign to Support Price Stability

June 16, 2026

Mintesinot Nigussie

Addis Ababa's administration is intensifying efforts to bring informal and illegal traders into the formal economy as part of a wider campaign to stabilise prices, strengthen supply chains and improve access to consumer goods.

The city administration reviewed the performance of its market stabilisation, illegal trade control and "Made in Ethiopia" task force during a consultation with stakeholders on Monday, where officials outlined achievements recorded in recent months and priorities for the upcoming rainy season.

Deputy Mayor and head of the Industry Development Bureau Jantirar Abay said improving the health of the city's trading system requires stronger action against illegal trading practices while creating pathways for informal operators to transition into legal business activities.

"Our focus is not only on improving supply and accessibility of products, but also on bringing illegal traders into the legal framework," he said.

The discussion comes as authorities seek to ease cost-of-living pressures through closer monitoring of prices, improved market distribution networks and expanded access to essential goods.

According to a performance report presented at the meeting, the task force has undertaken measures across product supply, distribution chains, price control and market regulation. Officials said the interventions have helped increase the availability of agricultural and industrial products across the capital.

The report noted that products have been distributed through seven multifunctional market centres established by the city administration, as well as 256 weekend markets operating across Addis Ababa.

Authorities said the market centres were created to help address supply-chain bottlenecks, improve the flow of goods from producers to consumers and support longer-term market stability.

Stakeholders also reviewed remaining challenges in product supply and distribution, with officials calling for additional efforts during the rainy season to address constraints that could affect market availability and prices.

The city administration said it plans to build on recent gains by strengthening market oversight, improving product accessibility and expanding measures aimed at ensuring a more efficient and transparent trading environment.